The traditional roll call at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago became a boisterous dance party, with each state’s delegation announcing their votes for presidential nominee Kamala Harris to a song befitting their state
The musical nods spun by DJ Cassidy were mostly obvious. Massachusetts went with a punk song about Boston. Kansas picked a song from the band Kansas.
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But there were curious picks — like American Samoa rolling out to Lady Gaga's “Edge of Glory" — and some delegations said they simply didn't have a say in the matter.
Here’s how each song (likely) fits each state or territory, in order of the roll call:
Alabama: “Sweet Home Alabama,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
Alaska: “Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man
Despite the European nation in its name, the rock band is from Wasilla, Alaska, which also happens to be the hometown of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
American Samoa: “Edge of Glory,” Lady Gaga
The territory's Democratic Party didn't respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday but NPR reports this is a “tongue-in-cheek nod to the territory’s position as the southernmost territory in the United States.” So we'll go with that.
Arizona: “Edge of Seventeen,” Stevie Nicks
Arkansas: “Don’t Stop,” Fleetwood Mac
The Southern state also went with a Nicks' hit when it picked this song, which was also famously the theme of then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s winning 1992 presidential campaign.
Colorado: “September,” Earth, Wind & Fire
Connecticut: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours),” Stevie Wonder
The New England state's pick was one of former President Barack Obama's go-to songs during his two successful presidential runs, but there's no apparent connection to Connecticut. (Wonder is from Michigan.)
Delaware: “Higher Love,” Kygo and Whitney Houston
The home state of President Joe Biden went with a song that had been a mainstay of his 2020 campaign.
Democrats Abroad: “Love Train,” The O’Jays
The organization acknowledged Wednesday it didn't have a say in the pick, but said the early disco hit was appropriate, given it has members in more than 190 countries.
Washington, D.C.: “Let Me Clear My Throat,” DJ Kool
Florida: “I Won’t Back Down,” Tom Petty
Georgia: “Turn Down For What,” DJ Snake and Lil Jon
Atlanta's own Lil Jon delivered a raucous version of his hit live and in person to the crowd at Chicago’s United Center.
Guam: “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter
Hawaii: “24K Magic,” Bruno Mars
If you haven't already picked up on a theme here, the R&B star hails from Honolulu.
Idaho: “Private Idaho,” The B-52s
The song is by the Georgia band most famous for “Love Shack” and other hits, but singer Fred Schneider told the Idaho Statesman he chose this song title because the state is “pretty mysterious to, you know, all of us.”
Illinois: “Sirius,” The Alan Parsons Project
Indiana: “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” Michael Jackson
Jackson and his famous family were originally from the industrial city of Gary, Indiana.
Iowa: “Celebration,” Kool and The Gang
The band may have been from New Jersey but everyone likes to celebrate good times, c'mon.
Kansas: “Carry On Wayward Son,” Kansas
There was really only one way this pick was going to go — a song from the arena rock band from Topeka, Kansas.
Kentucky: “First Class,” Jack Harlow
The rapper was born and raised in the Bluegrass State.
Louisiana: “All I Do Is Win,” DJ Khaled feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross
Maine: “Shut Up and Dance,” Walk the Moon
Once again, a New England state ended up with a song everyone can sing along to, even if it didn't have an obvious local connection. (Walk the Moon is from Ohio.) Maine Democrats say their pick of a song from local band The Ghost of Paul Revere was ultimately nixed.
Maryland: “Respect,” Aretha Franklin
Massachusetts: “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” The Dropkick Murphys
The de facto anthem of the Red Sox, by an Irish American punk band from the suburbs of the Massachusetts capital? No notes.
Michigan: “Lose Yourself,” Eminem
Mississippi: “Twistin’ the Night Away,” Sam Cooke
Missouri: “Good Luck, Babe!”, Chappell Roan
Montana: “American Woman,” Lenny Kravitz
The song, originally by the Canadian band The Guess Who, has no obvious connection to the Big Sky State — but the title has everything to do with sending a woman to the White House.
Nebraska: “Firework,” Katy Perry
Perry has no apparent connection to the Cornhusker State, but she's lent her starpower to the Democratic Party in recent years, performing at Biden's inauguration. Her hit song “Roar” also featured prominently in Hillary Clinton's failed 2016 presidential campaign.
Nevada: “Mr. Brightside,” The Killers
Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning formed the rock band more than two decade ago, in Las Vegas.
New Hampshire: “Don’t Stop Believin',” Journey
The rock band formed in San Francisco, but we'd be hard-pressed to find an event, rally or game that hasn't used this song as its anthem.
New Jersey: “Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce Springsteen
It couldn’t get more obvious than this. “The Boss” is from Long Branch, New Jersey, and politicians from both parties have played his song at rallies and events too many times to count — despite its more subversive lyrics.
New Mexico: “Confident,” Demi Lovato
New York: “Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
Both Jay-Z and Keys are from New York, the city for which this song is an anthem and ode.
North Carolina: “Raise Up,” Petey Pablo
Pablo, a rapper and record producer, is from the Tar Heel State.
North Dakota: “Girl on Fire,” Alicia Keys
As established above, Keys is from New York, but her song has often been used to celebrate and empower women (including at the Olympics ).
Northern Mariana Islands: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
The U.S. commonwealth north of Guam has no apparent connection to Gaye or Terrell, but it is mountainous with several volcanos — and the song choice could be a nod to the journey Harris is on.
Ohio: “Green Light,” John Legend feat. André 3000
Legend was born in Springfield, Ohio. (André 3000 of Outkast is from Atlanta, however.)
Oklahoma: “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘til the Sun Comes Up),” Garth Brooks
Oregon: “Float On,” Modest Mouse
The band was formed in Washington state, but is now based in Portland, Oregon.
Pennsylvania: “Motownphilly,” Boyz II Men; “Black and Yellow,” Wiz Khalifa
Boyz II Men is from Philadelphia, where the music video for “Motownphilly” was filmed. Meanwhile, Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” is about growing up in Pittsburgh. The titular colors are a tribute to the city’s football team, the Steelers.
Puerto Rico: “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee
Rhode Island: “Shake it Off,” Taylor Swift
South Carolina: “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine,” James Brown
South Dakota: “What I Like About You,” The Romantics
The rock band is from Detroit, not the Mount Rushmore State. Does it matter if there's a lot to like?
Tennessee: “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton
The country music legend was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and currently lives outside of Nashville.
Texas: “TEXAS HOLD 'EM,” Beyoncé
Utah: “Animal,” Neon Trees
The rock band formed in Provo, Utah.
Vermont: “Stick Season,” Noah Kahan
US Virgin Islands: “VI to the Bone,” Mic Love
Virginia: “The Way I Are,” Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson and D.O.E.
Timbaland was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia.
Washington: “Can’t Hold Us,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Both Macklemore and Lewis are from the Evergreen State.
West Virginia: “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” John Denver
Wisconsin: “Jump Around,” House of Pain
Wyoming: “I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
The song has no apparent connection to the state but sent a message that's pretty self-explanatory.
Minnesota: “Kiss” and “1999,” Prince and The Revolution
California: “The Next Episode,” Dr. Dre; “California Love,” Tupac Shakur; “Alright” and “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
Marcelo reported from New York and Naishadham from Washington.
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